Sixteen Sahulat Bazaars will be set up across Rawalpindi Division this Ramadan to offer essential items at discounted rates, with family facilities, drive-through shopping and mobile stalls.
Relief Plan for Ramadan Across Rawalpindi Division
Authorities in Rawalpindi Division have announced plans to set up 16 Sahulat Bazaars across Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum districts during the holy month of Ramadan. The initiative is part of the Punjab government’s wider effort to provide price relief and a more organised shopping experience for citizens at a time when demand for daily essentials peaks and household budgets are under pressure.
The decision was shared during a meeting chaired by Sahulat Bazaar Chairman Mohammad Afzal Khokhar and MNA Tahira Aurangzeb. Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Dr. Hassan Waqar Cheema, Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr. Hasaan Tariq and other officials attended in person, while deputy commissioners of Attock, Chakwal, Murree and Jhelum joined via video link to review progress on existing projects and finalise plans for the upcoming bazaars.
Essential Items at Prices Lower Than the Open Market
Briefing the participants, Chairman Mohammad Afzal Khokhar said that the main objective of the Sahulat Bazaars is to offer essential food and household items at prices lower than the open market. By bringing vendors and government-backed stalls together at designated sites, the administration aims to keep a closer check on prices, ensure availability of key items and protect consumers from overcharging during Ramadan.
The bazaars are expected to stock commonly used items such as flour, sugar, ghee, pulses, rice, vegetables and fruits, along with selected grocery products in high demand during sehri and iftar. Officials said that the price mechanism will be monitored daily, and any violation of approved rates will be dealt with under relevant laws. The goal is to give families a dependable option where they can shop for Ramadan necessities without worrying about sudden price hikes.
‘Sahulat Drive-Through’ and ‘Sahulat On The Go’ Initiatives
Khokhar also highlighted two supporting initiatives designed to modernise and diversify the Sahulat model. The first, called “Sahulat Drive-Through”, will allow citizens to purchase selected essential items without leaving their vehicles. Shoppers will be able to drive through a designated lane, place their orders and pay on the spot, reducing crowding and saving time for those on tight schedules.
The second initiative, branded “Sahulat On The Go”, aims to better organise informal pushcart businesses while also bringing quality goods to a single, more controlled location. Under this model, pushcart vendors can be clustered in pre-identified spaces linked to Sahulat Bazaars, making it easier to regulate quality and pricing while still supporting the livelihoods of small traders. Officials say this approach should improve the overall shopping environment for customers and help tidy up surrounding streets and markets.
Family-Friendly Facilities at Sahulat Bazaars
To encourage families to use these special markets, the administration has decided to include a range of basic facilities at Sahulat Bazaars. According to officials, each site will feature children’s play areas, food courts and washrooms, alongside clearly marked entry and exit points. The idea is to create a more comfortable environment where shoppers can combine essential purchases with short breaks for rest and refreshments.
Authorities believe that family-friendly facilities will help reduce stress during peak shopping hours and make it easier for women, elderly people and children to visit the bazaars. Security, crowd management and cleanliness are also being prioritised in the planning phase so that visitors can shop in a safer and more organised setting than many regular markets currently offer.
Land Allocation and Next Steps Before Ramadan
During the meeting, MNA Tahira Aurangzeb urged district administrations to speed up land allocation wherever sites have not yet been finalised. She noted that work is already in progress at 16 locations across the division for land provision and basic infrastructure. Officials from each district assured the meeting that they would fast-track necessary approvals and on-ground preparations so that all Sahulat Bazaars are ready before the start of Ramadan.
The district administration has pledged to expedite all related projects and provide maximum facilities under the Punjab government’s public-friendly initiatives. For residents of Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum, the new Sahulat Bazaars are expected to become key hubs for affordable Ramadan shopping, offering structured discounts, better oversight and a more convenient overall experience compared to conventional markets.
